Claire Liu v Elena Rybakina Betting Tips [5 August 2021]

Two consecutive defeats in Tokyo saw Elena Rybakina leave Tokyo without an Olympic medal. Now the world number 20 from Khazakhstan is in America preparing for the US Open. Rybakina is seeded second for the Silicon Valley Open and takes on wild card Claire Liu in the second round. She received a first round bye and will hope to repeat the form that saw her beat Garbine Muguruza in Tokyo. This year has seen her get some good wins over Elina Svitolina (sadly not in their Tokyo bronze medal match) and Serena Williams at Roland Garros. In terms of ranking points earned this year, Rybakina is 25th but will rise three places if winning this match. Rybakina has only had one previous match with Liu, beating her in straight sets at this year's Wimbledon.

Claire Liu began this tournament as the world number 108. Reaching the second round has seen her live ranking go up to a career high 104th. A win over Rybakina will see her enter the top 100 for the first time, it's a big task though. Liu has had plenty of success on the ITF tour this year with titles in Charlottesville and Charleston as well as two other finals. It hasn't been so successful for her on the main WTA tour. The American (who received a wild card for this tournament) won four matches to get to the last 64 at Wimbledon, where she was beaten by Rybakina. This week has seen her beat Dayana Yastremska to reach the second round. Back Rybakina to again beat Liu in straight sets.. 

Elena Rybakina can make it to the last eight of the Silicon Valley Open. Fresh from her run to the bronze medal match at the Olympics, Rybakina will be out to put that disappointment of not winning a medal behind her. She put in a good performance in that tournament though and can again get a straight sets win over Claire Liu.